Red Cross calls for more Adelaide blood donors over Easter long weekend

The Red Cross Blood Service in Adelaide is appealing for donors over the long weekend as demand for donations increases.

In a statement released by the Red Cross, the service said an increase in road trauma victims, and the fact that many people travel out of the city for the Easter holidays, means new donors become more necessary than ever.

Across Adelaide’s metropolitan area there are still 45 appointments, at three separate donor centres, which need to be filled for the service to meet its minimum donation requirements.

Blood Service spokeswoman Rebecca DiGirolamo confirmed most of these appointments are for the Regent Arcade donor centre, which will remain open for Easter Monday.

“Among the donations needed are at least six platelet donations to make sure the vital blood clotting agent is available for the treatment of cancer patients,” Ms DiGirolamo said.

“Platelets are the shortest-lived blood product at just five days, meaning they can’t be stockpiled, so long-weekends often pose a threat to continuity of supply as donors drop away due to holidays.”

Cancer patients, women giving birth, patients with blood disorders and road trauma victims will all rely on blood donations over the long weekend.